Existence of solutions to a phase-field model of dynamic fracture with a crack-dependent dissipation

Abstract

We propose a phase-field model of dynamic crack propagation based on the Ambrosio-Tortorelli approximation, which takes in account dissipative effects due to the speed of the crack tips. In particular, adapting the time discretization scheme contained in [Bourdin et al., Int. J. Fracture 168 (2011), 133-143] and [Larsen et al., Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 20 (2010), 1021-1048], we show the existence of a dynamic crack evolution satisfying an energy dissipation balance, according to Griffith's criterion.